Inherit the Earth™ is a point-and-click adventure game and webcomic series set on a future Earth where humans have mysteriously disappeared
and the dominate inhabitants are tribes of anthropomorphic animals or Morph, as they call themselves.

The primary hero of Inherit the Earth is Rif, a young Fox, who is a quick-witted, puzzle solver. Such skills come in handy as Rif tends to be thrust into dangerous missions involving righting wrongs and saving his friends.

The project being funded by this Kickstarter is Inherit the Earth: Sand and Shadows, a video game sequel to the original Inherit the Earth: Quest for the Orb. The game will be available for Windows, Mac, and other platforms.

Like the original game, the sequel's story can be enjoyed by adults, teens and pre-teens. It will be an enchanting and thrilling adventure for all to enjoy, with subtleties and hidden depths that can be appreciated by older players.

What's an Adventure Game? An adventure game is best described as a story-based puzzle-solving entertainment experience. The game’s protagonist attempts to complete a series of goals by talking with characters encountered in different locations and using the clues learned to resolve problems blocking the path to success. In many situations this involves collecting items to trade or use.

What about Inherit the Earth: Quest for the Orb? In the first game Rif the Fox is accused of stealing an ancient human relic, but is able to convince the authorities that he has the skills to find the actual thief of the Orb of Storms. Two guards are assigned to accompany Rif on his quest to ensure it is completed. There is the added incentive of rescuing his friend Rhene who is being held hostage by the Boar Tribe. Rif is eventually able to prove his innocence, but at the apparent loss of the Orb.

Inherit the Earth: Sand and Shadows takes place after both the original game and the webcomic story Little Wolf Lost. The Morph Tribes of the Known Lands continue their efforts to live with the loss of the Orb, which they used to predict the weather. There are rumors of the artifact’s survival, but none are credible. Even Rif, who feels some regret in not being able to retrieve the Orb, discounts these rumors. The arrival of a chieftess’ daughter, with a startling revelation, leads to Rif embarking on a new adventure to learn the truth – assuming he can avoid the doubts of friends, threats of foes, and the ravages of a great drought.

You can view a video of some scenes from the game prototype below.

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As the developers on Inherit the Earth: Sand and Shadows know, funding an adventure game through the usual channels is extremely difficult at this time. Adventure games are not the type of game most big companies are looking to publish or even know how to market.

There is an alternate in the 21st Century: crowd-funding through Kickstarter gives a game like ours a chance to find its own players and supporters. Honestly, we would prefer this method of funding as it allows us the freedom to create the game we believe our segment of the gaming world is seeking.

Help us make this game a reality!

And now what many of you have been waiting to know the answer to: "What do I receive as a backer of this funding drive?" The rewards you can receive are listed below and include such goodies as a copy of the game, a book of artwork, credit for your sponsorship, your avatar appearing in-game, and even a trip to the launch party.

Some reward artwork may be preliminary or placeholders for final art.

Inherit the Earth: Sand and Shadows is being developed by The Wyrmkeep Entertainment Co. and produced by a team of experienced professionals, including excellent artists, writers, voice actors, audio techs and programmers. Many of these individuals were involved in the creation of the original game. Key developers include:

Joe Pearce - Designer, programmer, and company owner. Joe has been a professional game developer for 28 years with over 20 game and application titles to his credit. He was one the original designers of Inherit the Earth: Quest for the Orb and the primary force in making the sequel possible by acquiring the rights to the original game.

Ed Lacabanne - Artist. Ed was one of the background artists for the original game. He has worked on a dozen other projects including titles based on Star Wars, Dungeons and Dragons, and Fallout.

Allison Hershey - Additional design. Allison, a designer and art director for the original game, has provided assistance in the design for the new game. She was also the first illustrator for the webcomic.

We expect development will take approximately nine months from the date the project is successfully funded. The game will be released in English plus other languages based on Stretch Goals met (see below).

Different tribes of the Morph

You can stay in touch with the folks involved in this project through the following:

I hope you are ready to join us in the process of making a great sequel to a classic game. Become a sponsor! Tell your friends to be become sponsors! Let's make this happen!

Even if you are not interested in supporting Inherit the Earth: Sand and Shadows, please look for other projects on Kickstarter to get behind.

Thank you for your consideration!

Inherit the Earth is a trademark (game) and registered trademark (comic strip) of The Wyrmkeep Entertainment Co.

Risks and challenges

We are confident that the funding goal we have set is sufficient to produce a game we will be proud to release. We also know that video game production is more of an art than a science, so we do have plans to deal with possible issues that might cause delays.

The technologies that will be used in Inherit the Earth: Sand and Shadows are well understood. We have previously developed products for the target platforms. A prototype game engine is already being coded, which should allow us to reveal any possible glitches in the design.

Most importantly, during production we will be seeking additional funding (through pre-orders, licensing, etc.) to help cover any unexpected costs.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $70 or more
About $70

SAGE - you receive a copy of the physical edition of the game (including printed manual AND hint book), your name appears in the game's end credits under "Silver Supporter," and all the rewards of an ADVENTURER

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $290 or more
About $290

SCRIBE - your real or fan name appears on an in-game object, legible to players. Maybe your name is given as the author of a book, or engraved on an award, or written as a signature on a scrap of preserved human correspondence! Plus, you receive a digital image of the object and all the rewards of a GUILDMASTER

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $300 or more
About $300

CHIEFTAIN - your copy of game's art book is a HARDBACK edition signed by the artists, your in-game credit is upgraded to "Gold Supporter", plus you receive a poster of the game's cover art and all the rewards of a GUILDMASTER

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $600 or more
About $600

AVATARISTIC - your anthropomorphic animal avatar will be a background character in the game! Most mammalian avatars will appear "in the fur," while other kinds will appear as in-game illustrations. Your avatar will be included in the art book, and you receive a print of your avatar drawn by a staff artist. If you don't have an avatar, we will create one for you! Plus you receive all the rewards of a CHIEFTAIN

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,100 or more
About $1,100

PUZZLE CHALLENGER - you can attend a chat session with the designers to help finalize a puzzle in the game, your in-game credit is upgraded to "Platinum Supporter,". plus you receive a team jacket and all the rewards of a SHAMAN

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,000 or more
About $2,000

MORPH THESPIAN - your anthropomorphic animal avatar (mammalian-only) will be a SPEAKING CHARACTER in the game! Your avatar will be included in the art book, and you receive a print of your avatar drawn by a staff artist. If you don't have an avatar, we will create one for you! Plus you receive all the rewards of an OVERCHIEF

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $6,000 or more
About $6,000

ASCENDANT - you are invited to attend the game's launch party in Southern California, including two-night hotel accommodation and air fare (US residents only), we give you extra swag at the party, your name will appear in the game's OPENING CREDITS, and you receive all the rewards of an OVERCHIEF